Lefort I access for Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA): A prospective series of 22 cases

IntroductionThe mainstay treatment for Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma (JNA) is complete excision. Surgical approach should allow maximal exposure of the tumour with minimum morbidity. One such possible approach is Lefort I maxillary osteotomy.ObjectiveTo review our experience on feasibility of Lefort I osteotomy approach to achieve the best result and to look at the outcome in our series of patients at a tertiary centre in India.MethodThis prospective study involves 22 patients with JNA who have been treated by Lefort I approach between August 2006 and December 2007 at the Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health And Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.ResultsAll patients underwent primary surgical resection through Lefort I approach. No major intra-operative and post-operative complications were noted except in one patient where loss of vision in one eye due to prior pre-operative orbital involvement. The mean follow-up period was 2.8 years. To date, there has been no cases of residual tumour or recurrence that can be attributed to the procedure except in one case.ConclusionOur experience suggests that the Lefort I osteotomy approach is a useful technique for the removal of extensive JNA which has distinct advantages over traditional approaches, providing a more direct vision, improved exposure, and cosmesis.